Chapter 13

Joanna’s words made it abundantly clear—she was fast becoming a Parker. Richard’s eyes flickered, and he looked at me with a hint of pity. He probably felt sorry for me; it wasn't a good look for a legitimate wife to be challenged by a mistress. If I still harbored feelings for Hayden, Joanna's words would have stung. But I'd moved on, so they didn't.

I smiled at Joanna and said, “Really? But why won’t Hayden divorce me then? How does he plan on keeping his promise to you?” Joanna’s face clouded, and she fell silent.

I turned away, finished with the conversation, and got down to business with Richard. “Where’s my desk? What are my main responsibilities?” If I was going to be here, I might as well do my job well.

Richard blinked in surprise before snapping into action, guiding me to a desk. “Your spot is right here. Your main job is to manage Mr. Parker’s schedule and handle his needs.” I frowned. It seemed he just wanted me to serve him. Was Hayden trying to act like a king?

After spending the morning learning the ropes, I noticed Joanna had vanished. I wondered if she had gone to complain to Hayden. Just then, my phone vibrated. I saw a flurry of links from Lucy: “[Parker Group’s CEO Returns Home, Wife Joins Him], [Mr. Parker’s New Flame vs. Old Flame: Who Will Win], and [Yvonne Jackson’s Hidden Talents: A New Song Takes the City by Storm].”

What on earth was happening? A chill ran down my spine. Lucy quickly sent another message: “[You’ve become famous! How does it feel on your first day at work?]”

“[Pretty good.]” I replied slowly, taking a moment to tell her I was now working with my love rival. I wasn’t surprised when Lucy bombarded my phone with shocked emojis: “[Has Hayden lost his mind? Did he really make you two work together? One of you is going to get totally consumed, isn’t it?!”

I sighed. “[Who do you think will end up being consumed?]”

“[Uh, it’s probably you.]” Lucy replied after a pause.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was definitely a possibility. After all, Joanna was the apple of Hayden’s eye, and being in the middle of that was no picnic.

As I considered how to ease the tension, the office phone rang. Since I was alone, I answered on speakerphone. “Richard, bring in the proposal for Horitan International.” Hayden’s icy voice cut through the line.

“He’s not here,” I replied coolly.

There was a pause. “You bring it in.”

Before I could protest, the jerk had hung up. Though fuming, I had no choice but to find the proposal and take it to him. I had something to discuss with him anyway.

I knocked on the CEO’s office door and saw Hayden hunched over his desk, sorting through papers. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing him in a golden glow. For a fleeting moment, he almost looked like an angel.

I was swept back to our school days. We attended the same school, but he was two grades ahead. During breaks, I'd often go to his classroom just to glimpse him. I remember watching him from the doorway, sitting by the window in a crisp white shirt, looking fresh and radiant—the very picture of my dream guy. I had spent ten years of my youth cherishing moments like that. But now, even though he was still here, my feelings had completely changed. The heart that once admired him so passionately was now battered and bruised.

“What are you staring at?” A cold voice snapped me back to reality.

I looked up to find Hayden’s gaze fixed on me. Back then, when I'd peek at him from the classroom door, he’d always look at me with that same impatient expression. My heart tightened, and I instinctively wanted to retreat. I lowered my gaze and placed the documents on his desk. “Why did you put Joanna and me together?” I asked.

“She wants to be a secretary,” Hayden replied curtly.

“Isn’t it just to humiliate me?” I scoffed. “Why don’t you just divorce me? Once I’m out of the way, you can be with her openly. Why keep me here, forcing me to watch your little romance?” I couldn't understand his arrangement. I’d never been good at reading his heart.

Hayden stopped flipping through papers, his handsome face darkening. “If it weren’t for Grandpa’s wishes, do you think I’d bring you to the company? Don’t think I’m clueless about what you’re up to.”

I laughed angrily. “What scheme could I possibly have? I’m practically handing him my husband?” Besides, even if I wanted to make a move, would Hayden even give me the chance? I stared at the face I used to dream about, feeling my heart grow cold.

After a long pause, Hayden finally said, “Joanna isn’t what you think. She just wants a job.”

I froze, speechless. Did he see Joanna as pure and perfect while portraying me as the villain?

Right on cue, Joanna’s voice cut through the air from the doorway. “Mr. Parker,” she began, but faltered when she saw me.

I wasn’t in the mood to talk to Hayden, nor did I want to watch their lovey-dovey interaction. I turned and left, but even as I walked away, I heard Joanna’s gentle voice asking, “Did I upset Yvonne?”

Hayden’s cold reply followed, “Just ignore her.”

I swallowed the bitterness, managed a cold smirk, and walked away.

Back in the secretary’s office, I saw Richard sitting awkwardly to the side. He must have known what had happened and had intentionally given us space. Catching sight of me, he gave a guilty look. “Mrs. Parker, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” I replied, shaking my head. “Just keep my work separate from Joanna’s in the future. As you can see, we can’t work together.”

Richard froze before nodding. “Yes, Mrs. Parker.”

I had just sat down when a thought struck me. “You’ve been with Hayden for many years, haven’t you?” I recalled that ever since Hayden graduated, he’d always had a secretary.

“Five years,” Richard replied.

“Then you must know how he met Joanna, right?” I pressed, my curiosity piqued by what Lucy had mentioned—how did Hayden fall in love with Joanna?